Kenya’s double delight as Mutai and Keitany do it in London

Written By:Elizepher Wankuru,    Posted: Sun, Apr 17, 2011

The 29-year-old world half-marathon record holder, who finished third in her marathon debut in New York last year, clocked an unofficial two hours 19 minutes 17 seconds.

Emmanuel Mutai made it a Kenyan double after winning the Virgin London Marathon in a new course record.

Earlier, compatriot Mary Keitany smashed her personal best to claim a commanding victory in the women's race.

Mutai's time of 2:04.38, beats the previous best of 2:05.10 set by Samuel Wanjiru in 2009 and also the fifth-fastest time ever.

The 26-year-old, second here last year, broke away at around the 21-mile mark with three-time winner Martin Lel and Patrick Makau making it a clean sweep for Kenya - Lel just edging out his fellow Kenyans in a sprint finish.

Keitany broke away after 15 miles and never looked like being caught as she clocked an unofficial time of two hours 19 minutes and 17 seconds, almost 10 minutes quicker than her debut in New York last year.

The 29-year-old began the year by setting a new world record of 1:05.50 for the half-marathon, becoming the first woman to run under 66 minutes.

And she proved equally adept at double the distance to relegate defending champion Liliya Shobukhova of Russia into second, with Kenya's Edna Kiplagat in third.